FRANKLIN COUNTY, Alabama - Counselors were at Vina High School this morning to talk with students after two popular teachers - a coach and former coach - were arrested and charged with having sex with students.

Gary Williams, superintendent of Franklin County Schools, said a number of students are "upset" by the allegations.

"They've lost what were supposed to be role models to them, teachers and coaches they loved and, up to this point, respected," Williams said.

The men are accused of having sex with one student each, Williams said. The two girls are 17 years old. "I understand the two female students were best friends," he said.

Williams recommended to the school board to terminate Sonny Tibbs, 35, of Hamilton, who is charged with one count of being a school employee engaging in a sexual act with a student under the age of 19.

Tibbs, formerly a teacher and girls' basketball coach at the high school, was teaching at Vina Elementary School at the time of his arrest Friday. He admitted to the charges against him, Williams said, which is why he can take action toward termination.

During an interview in the Tibbs' investigation, the girl he reportedly had sex with told sheriff's deputies her friend and another coach also had sex, according to Williams. This led to the arrest Wednesday of Brian Keeton, 38, of Carbon Hill, also charged with one count of being a school employee engaging in a sexual act with a student under the age of 19. Keeton is a teacher and coaches the boys' basketball team at Vina.

Because an investigation has been opened into that allegation, Williams has placed Keeton on paid leave until the outcome.

"By law, we have to give him pay until he's either found guilty or innocent," Williams said.

Tibbs has 15 days to contest Williams' recommendation to terminate his contract. Both men also face jail time, if convicted in criminal court. The charge is a Class B felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison.

Williams said he hopes Keeton's arrest is the end of the reports of misconduct at the school. "I don't know how things like this happen," he said. "Surely the disciplinary actions taken with these two will wake people up to what could happen in their lives if they want to participate in this kind of activity."